Device for intensifying electrical energy



Feb. 28, 1956 F. A. KANE, JR

DEVICE FOR INTENSIFYING ELECTRICAL ENERGY Filed May 18, 1954 INVENTOR Frank 4. Kane, Jr.

ATTORN EY United States Patent 9 DEVICE FOR INTENSIFYING ELECTRICAL ENERGY Frank A. Kane, Jr., Stratford, Conn.

Application May 18, 1954, Serial No. 430,501

12 Claims. (Cl. 123-148) This invention relates to devices for intensifying electrical energy, more particularly to a device adapted to be introduced into the ignition system of an internal combustion engine for amplifying the voltage operatively applied to the spark plugs.

Attempts have heretofore been made to increase the spark intensity and improve the spark characteristics in an internal combustion engine by certain conventional devices introduced into the high tension or secondary coil circuit electrically connected to the spark plugs or the dis- 7 tributor. Such devices have frequently proven unsatisfactory because of certain disadvantages which have made them commercially unfeasible. One of the most outstanding shortcomings of certain of said conventional devices has been the occurrence of electrical leakage, resulting in a short-circuiting of the device and spark elements. Such unwanted electrical discharges tend to occur particularly in devices in which the internal parts are imbedded in a wax, pitch or other non-conducting material-the imbedding process frequently being ineffective to fill the exceedingly small spaces between the conducting plates of the condenser structure commonly present in such devices-thereby resulting in electrical discharges between said plates. Even where the internal parts of the device are encased in oil, there is the danger of an unwanted discharge between said plates when the electrical pressure therein is great enough to cause portions of the fluid mass to move into adjacent spaces.

It is accordingly primarily within the contemplation of my invention to .provide a device which obviates the danger of electrical leakage therein, and which effectively cooperates with a high tension circuit with which it is operatively associated to produce a voltage amplification-so as to be able to produce a highly efiicient and intensified spark when employed in an internal combustion engine. I

In conventional devices of this category it is frequently necessary to effect a sealing of the internal components thereof under exceedingly dry atmospheric conditions, so as to reduce the danger of internal leakage between conducting elements. It is a further objective of my invention to present a device comprising a chamber that can be eifectively sealed from the atmosphere without the precautions required for said conventional devices, and which can be fabricated with greater facility than is possible with those devices where the elements are imbedded in pitch, wax or oil. I

In certain devices of this class an air gap or jump barrier is employed, in conjunction with a condenser member, to produce the required voltage amplification. In such devices the distance between the electrodes of the air gap is critical, and close tolerances are required in their fabrication for optimum results. it is within the contemplation of my invention to provide a variable spark gap construction in which the distance between the spark electrodes can be accurately and conveniently adjusted to obtain the optimum peak of efliciency for a particular ignition system. And it is also within my contemplation to provide a releasable locking arrangement for fixedly maintaining the electrodes of the spark of my device in its said adjusted optimum position.

It is another object of my invention to provide a simple and compact unitary device, made of readily available materials, that can be readily introduced into the ignition system of an internal combustion engine, without any splicing of wires or special mechanical knowledge or skill.

from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device of my invention, partly disassembled, the high tension wire being shown, by dot-dash lines, operatively inserted within the socket of the device.

Figure 2 is a view substantially like Figure 1, with the parts in their assembled position, certain portions being shown in elevation for clarity.

Figure 3 is a top view of Figure 2 with a portion broken away for clarity, said broken-away portion representing a section substantially along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a bottom view of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a section of Figure 1 taken substantially along line 5-5.

Figure 6 is a section of Figure 1 taken substantially along line 6-6.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary enlarged, semi-schematic section taken substantially along line 66 of Figure 1, the dot-dash circle representing another position of the eccentrically mounted disk.

Figure 8 is a transverse section of the inner cylindrical conductor sheet in its formed position before insertion in the device, the dot-dash lines representing the configuration of the said cylinder when in its assembled position.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of the device of this invention shown operatively mounted on a distributor illustrated partly in section, the said device being also shown connected to a coil of an internal combustion engine, the switch, battery and ground connection being diagrammatically illustrated.

In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, an outer cylindrical casing 10 is employed, made of any suitable electrically insulative material, such as the plastic Lucite. Snugly but rotatably fitted within the central aperture 54 of the comparatively thick upper end portion 11 of the casing is a metallic cylindrical socket 12 having an inner bore 13 proportioned to slidably receive therein the terminal of an electrical conductorsuch as the high tension wire 14 connected to the secondary circuit of the coil member 15 (Figure 9) of a conventional internal combustion engine. Extending through and in threaded engagement with the bottom aperture 16 of socket 12 is a central post 17said post extending axially down through the cylindrical casing 10.

The lower portion of casing 10 is provided with a bottom end portion or base 18, which is in close fitting engagement with the interior surface 19 of the casing 10, and secured thereto by fasteners such as the drivescrews 20. The arrangement is such that between the respective upper and lower end portions 11 and 18 of the casing 10 is formed a compartment 21 for accommodating therein the central member 22.

The said member 22 comprises, in the preferred form illustrated, an open-ended cylinder 23 made of high electrically insulating material; and although mica and glass, among other materials, may be suitable for such purpose, I have found the plastic Lucite very effective for the purposes of my invention. Flanking said cylinder 23 are two substantially cylindrical conductor members, to wit, the inner member 24 and the outer member 25, made oi brass, copper or similar conductive material. Bothmem Other objects, features and advantages will appear bers 24 and 25 are preferablymade of somewhat resilient sheet material, so that when formed into a substantially cylindrical configuration, and overlapped, the overlapped portions will be in close yieldable contact. As illustrated by the full line representation of Figure 8, member 24, for example, is pro-formed into a substantially cylindrical configuration of a diameter somewhat larger than that of the inner surface of cylinder 23. Hence, when the said member 24 is inserted within the cylinder 23, and permitted to expand so as to assume the positions of Figures 1 and 7, the end portions 26 and 27 are disposed in overlapping relation; and because of the resiliency of the material, the said portions 26 and 27 are in intimateyicld able contact-a condition necessary for a device in this category. Similarly, the member 25 is pre-formed into a cylinder, but of a diameter slightly less than that of the outer surface of cylinder 23, so that the resilient material of member 25 will hug the body of the cylinder 23.

When said cylindrical members 24 and 25 are operatively assembled on opposite sides of smd cylinder 23, they constitute respective inner and outer conducting metal shells separated by an insulating shellthe insuiating shell 23 serving as a dielectric plate between two con ducting plates 24 and 25.

It will be observed that the respective upper and lower portions 29 and 3b of the dielectric cylinder 23 extend beyond the respective upper edges of said shells 24 and 25cylinder 23 being so proportioned that the respective upper and lower edges 31 and 32 thereof enter the re spective annular grooves 33 and 34 in said upper and lower end portions 11 and 18, respectively, of the casing 10. In the preferred arrangement illustrated, rubber or other resilient and water-impervious ring gaskets 35 and 36' are disposed within said respective annular grooves 33 and 34, so that when the upper and lower portions 29 and of cylinder 23 are in operative position within said respective annular grooves 33 and 34, the said upper and lower edges 31 and 32 of said cylinder 23 win he in pressing engagement with the said gaskets and 36 as illustrated in Figure 2. The arrangement is hence such that when the parts above described are assembled, the member 22 together with upper and lower walls 11 and 18 define an air-tight inner chamber 37, completely separated from the outer chamber 37a. The fasteners 20applied after the complete assembly has been effectedserve to maintain the parts in their assembled position, and thereby to keep the said chamber air-tight.

Adjustably mounted on the said post 17 is the cylindrical disk-like electrode 38, made preferably of carbon with a high graphite content. The said electrode disk 38 contains a hole 3? therein, eccentrically disposed with respect to the periphery 4d of the disk--the proportions of said hole being such as to enable the disk to be slidably mounted over the said post 17, as iliustrated. Flanking said disk are the nuts 41 and 42, these being mounted over the threaded portions 43 and id of said post, and being adapted for pressing engagement with disk 33 to hold it in a fixed position on the post.

By referring to Figure 7 it will be noted that the overlapping portions 26 and 27 of the inner conducting shell 24 produce an inwardly protruding high spot or region generally designated H. When the disk 38 is in the position illustrated in Figure 7, the point of the periphery designated A, most remote from the center C of post 17, is in its closest possible relation to said point H. if the disk 38 is operatively rotated in the direction of arrow B to its illustrated dot-dash position, the said point A will be located at its new designated position, and another point of periphery 40, designated D, will now occupy the closest position to high point H of shell 2-point D being farther from point H than point A in its original position. Hence, by a rotative manipulation of disk 33, the position of the most proximate portions of the disk with respect to high point H of shell 24 can be varied.

of terminal plug 47 is possible.

The space generally designated 45 between high point H of inner shell 24 and the most proximate portion of disk 38 serves as an air gap or jump barrier for a spark between said most proximate portion and said high point H. Hence, by an operative rotation of said disk 38 in the manner aforesaid, the said spark gap can be varied to produce optimum spark effects.

When the components of my above-described device are in their assembled position, as illustrated in Figure 2, the lower extremity 46 ofpost 17 protrudes downwardly beyond base 13 of the casing 10. In threaded engagement with said lower portion 46 is the substantially cylindrical slit terminal plug 47 adapted for insertion within the central aperture 48 (Figure 9) of the distributor cap 49, for an operative purpose to be hereinafter described. The said terminal plug 47 has a thickened roof $9 with a threaded apertured portion 51 to receive the said terminal portion 46 of post 17. The upper surface 52 of said terminal plug 47 is fiat and is adapted for pressing engagement with the undersurface 53 of the base 18 of the casing, when the parts are in the assembled position illustrated in Figure 2.

Upon a rotary tightening action of said terminal plug 47 about said lower terminal 46, the surface 52 is brought into pressing engagement with said surface 53, until a position is reached at which no further turning movement It is at this point that the entire post 17 is also locked in position, so that any previous setting of the electrode disk 38 remains fixed and held against displacement with respect to inner shell 24. Should it be desired to adjustably vary the position of the disk 38 with respect to high point H of shell 24, terminal plug 47 is loosened, and socket member 12. (rotatably and snugly fitted within aperture, 54 of upper wall 11) is rotatably manipulated, either by hand, or by the use. of a suitable tool, thereby causing a corresponding rotation of post 17 and the disk 38 carried thereby, until the desired relative position between the said high point H and the most proximate point on the periphery 40 of disk 38 is reached. This can be electrically determined, for optimum spark results, by methods well-known to those skilled in the art. Thereafter, terminal plug 47 is again rotatably manipulated to lock the parts in their set position.

The said outer shell 25 is to be connected by a conductor to a suitable ground. In the form of my invention illustrated I employ a conducting wire 55 tightly wrapped around the outer portion of member 22 for complete contact with shell 25. The said conductor 55, beyond member 22, is covered by an insulating sheath 56, and extends outwardly through aperture 57 of casing, 10, the terminal element 58 of said conductor being adapted for attachment to any suitable ground connection.

When the device of my invention is mounted on the distributor cap 49 as shown inFigure 9, the said terminal plug 47 makes contact with the socket 59 which is electrically connected to the arm 69 of the rotor 61-said rotor successively coming into engagement with sockets 62 on the distributor cap electrically connected to the spark plugs of an internal combustion engine, each of the spark plugs being grounded, all in known manner. The said terminal element 58 can be connected to the terminal post 63, which is grounded, or to any other-ground connection. The circuit is completed through the said high tension wire 14 connected to the coil 15, the latter being electrically connected to a battery 64, circuit-breaker (not shown), ignition switch 65 and ground, all in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

The arrangement is hence such that there is no interference whatsoever with the high tension circuit to the distributor; but the interposition of this devicewith, its sealed chamber 37 containing therein the adjustable spark gap. 45, and with the dielectricshell 23,.fia11ked by the conductive shells 24 and 25provides an amplified voltage, to produce the desired intensification of electrical energy and effective sparks for the engine.

The entire device is readily fabricated, is easily adjustable, is free from the danger of short-circuiting characteristic of conventional devices, and can be readily installed in an internal combustion engine or other similar device without the requirement of special skill or training.

In the above description, the invention has been dis-. closed merely by way of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or manner of practicing same, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for intensifying the electrical energy delivered by a high tension circuit through a high tension conductor to a terminal connection of an electrical apparatus, a cylinder of dielectric material, an inner and an outer plate of conducting material in engagement with opposite portions of the respective inner and outer surfaces of said cylinder, said'inner plate having an inwardly protruding high section, a post of conducting material extending longitudinally through the interior of said cylinder, an electrode eccentrically mounted on said post and spaced from said high section to form an air gap, a socket electrically connected to said post and adapted operatively to receive therein said high tension conductor, a terminal plug electrically connected to said post and adapted for contacting engagement with said terminal connection of said electrical apparatus, and conductor means electrically connected to said outer plate with a metallic terminal for operative connection to an electrical ground.

2. In a device for intensifying the electrical energy delivered by a high tension circuit through a high tension conductor to a terminal connection of an electrical apparatus, a cylinder of dielectric material, an inner and an outer plate of conducting material in engagement with opposite portions of the respective inner and outer surfaces of said cylinder, said inner plate having an inwardly protruding high section, a post of conducting material extending longitudinally through the interior of said cylinder, an electrode eccentrically mounted on said post and spaced from said high section to form a spark jump barrier between said high section and the most proximate portion of said electrode, means rotatably supporting said post, whereby upon an operative rotation of said post and the electrode carried thereby the said jump barrier will be varied, a socket electrically connected to said post and adapted operatively to receive therein said high tension conductor, a terminal plug electrically connected to said post and adapted for contacting engagement with said terminal connection of said electrical apparatus, and conductor means electrically connected to said outer plate with a metallic terminal for operative connection to an electrical ground.

3. In a device for intensifying the electrical energy delivered by a high tension circuit through a high tension conductor to a terminal connection of an electrical apparatus, a cylinder of dielectric material, an inner and an outer shell of conducting material in enveloping engagement with the respective inner and outer surfaces of said cylinder, said inner shell having overlapping end portions forming an inner high section, a post of conducting material extending longitudinally through the interior of said cylinder, an electrode eccentrically mounted on said post and spaced from said high section to form a jump barrier between said overlapping portions and the most proximate portion of said electrode, a socket electrically connected to said post and adapted operatively to receive therein said high tension conductor, a terminal plug electrically connected to said post and adapted for contacting engagement with said terminal connection of said electrical apparatus, and conductor means electrically connected to said outer .6 shell with a metallic terminal for operative connection to an electrical ground.

4. In a device for intensifying the electrical energy delivered by a high tension circuit through a high tension conductor to a terminal connection of an electrical apparatus, a cylinder of dielectric material, an inner and an outer shell of conducting material in enveloping engagement with the respective inner and outer surfaces of said cylinder, said inner shell having overlapping end portions forming an inner high section, a post of conducting material extending longitudinally through the interior of said cylinder, an electrode eccentrically mounted on said post to form a spark jump barrier between said overlapping portions and the most proximate portion of said electrode, means rotatably supporting said post, whereby upon an operative rotation of said post and the electrode carried thereby the said jump barrier will be varied, a socket electrically connected to said post and adapted operatively to receive therein said high tension conductor, a terminal plug electrically connected to said post and adapted for contacting engagement with said terminal connection of said electrical apparatus, and conductor means electrically connected to said outer shell with a metallic terminal for operative connection to an electrical ground.

5. In a device for intensifying the spark in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine having a coil and a distributor, the combination of an outer cylinder of electrical insulating material, an inner cylinder of dielectric material disposed within said outer cylinder and forming an outer chamber between said two cylinders and an inner chamber within said inner cylinder, an inner and an outer plate of conducting material in engagement with opposite portions of the respective inner and outer surfaces of said inner cylinder, said inner plate having an inwardly protruding high section, a post of conducting material extending through the interior of said inner cylinder, an electrode eccentrically mounted on said post and spaced from said high section to form a spark jump barrier between said high section and the most proximate portion of said electrode, top and bottom end portions on said outer cylinder, a socket in one of said end portions electrically connected to said post and adapted to operatively receive therein the lead wire from said coil, a terminal plug disposed at the other of said end portions and electrically connected to said post and adapted for operative engagement with said distributor, and conductor means electrically connected to said outer plate and having a metallic terminal for operative connection to an electrical ground.

6. In a device for intensifying the spark in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine having a coil and a distributor, the combination of an outer cylinder of electrical insulating material, an inner cylinder of dielectric material disposed within said outer cylinder and forming an outer chamber between said two cylinders and an inner chamber within said inner cylinder, an inner and an outer plate of conducting material in engagement with opposite portions of the respective inner and outer surfaces of said inner cylinder, said inner plate having an inwardly protruding high section, a post of conducting material extending through the interior of said inner cylinder, an electrode eccentrically mounted on said post and spaced from said high section to form a spark jump barrier between said high section and the most proximate portion of said electrode, top and bottom end portions on said outer cylinder, annular grooved portions on the inner surfaces of said upper and lower end portions, the upper and lower ends of said inner cylinder being disposed within said respective grooved portions, whereby said inner and outer chambers are sealed from each other, a socket in one of said end portions electrically connected to said post and adapted to operatively receive therein the lead wire from said coil, a terminal plug disposed at the other of said end portions and electrically connected to said post and adapted for operative engagement with said distributor, and conductor means electrically connected to said outer plate and having a metallic terminal for operative connection to an electrical ground.

7. A device according to claim 6, said annular grooved portions each having therein yieldable gaskets in press ing engagement with the respective ends of said inner cylinder.

8. In a device for intensifying the spark in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine having a coil and a distributor, the combination of an outer cylinder of electrical insulating material, an inner cylinder of dielectric material disposed within said outer cylinder and forming an outer chamber between said two cylinders and an inner chamber within said inner cylinder, an inner and outer shell of conducting material in enveloping engagement with the respective inner and outer surtaces of said inner cylinder, said inner shell having overlapping end portions forming an inner high section, a post of conducting material extending through the interior of said inner cylinder, an electrode eccentrically mounted on said post and spaced from said overlapping portions to form a spark jump barrier between said overlapping portions and the most proximate portion of said electrode, top and bottom end portions on said outer cylinder, annular grooved portions on the inner surfaces of said upper and lower end portions, the upper and lower ends of said inner cylinder being disposed within said respective grooved portions, whereby said inner and outer chambers are sealed from each otner, a socket in one of said end portions electrically connected to said post and adapted to operatively receive therein the lead wire from said coil. a terminal plug disposed at the other of said end portions and electrically connected to said post and adapted for operative engagement with said distributor, and conductor means electrically connected to said outer shell and having a metallic terminal for operative connection to an electrical ground.

In a device for intensifying the spark in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine having a coil and a distributor, the combination of an outer cylinder of electrical insulating material, an inner cylinder of dielectric material disposed within said outer cylinder and forming an outer chamber between said two cylinders and an inner chamber Within said inner cylinder, an inner and outer shell of conducting material in enveloping engagement with the respective inner and outer surfaces of said inner cylinder, said inner shell having overlapping end portions forming an inner high section, a post or": conducting material extending through the interior of said inner cylinder, an electrode eccentrically mounted on said post and spaced from said overlapping portions to form a spark jump barrier between said overlapping portions and the most proximate portion of said electrode, means rotatably supporting said post, whereby upon an operative rotation of said post and the electrode carried thereby the said jump barrier will be varied, top and bottom end portions on said outer post and adapted for operative engagement with said distributor, and conductor means electrically connected to said outer shell and having a metallic terminal for operative connection to an electrical ground.

10. A device according to claim 9, said post having an extremity thereof extending through the end portion of the outer cylinder opposite said socket, said terminal plug being in threaded engagement with said extremity of the post.

11. A device according to claim 9, said post having an extremity thereof extending through the end portion of the outer cylinder opposite saidsocket, said terminal plug having an end section with a threaded aperture in threaded engagement with said extremity of the post, and a flat outer surface in abutting engagement with the adjacent end portion of the outer cylinder when said plug and post are in threaded. engagement.

12. In a device for intensifying the spark in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine having a coil and a, distributor, the combination of an outer cylinder of electrical insulating material, an inner cylinder of dielectric material disposed within said outer cylinder and forming an outer chamber between said two cylinders and an inner chamber within said inner cylinder, an inner and outer shell of conducting material in enveloping engagement with the respective inner and outer surfaces of said inner cylinder, said inner shell having overlapping end portions forming an inner high section, a post of' conducting material extending through the interior of said inner cylinder, an electrode eccentrically mounted on said post and spaced from said overlapping portions to form a spark jump barrier between said overlapping portions and the most proximate portion of said electrode, top and bottom end portions on said outer cylinder, a socket in one of said end portions electrically connected to said post and adapted to operatively receive therein the lead wire from said coil, a terminal plug disposed at the other of said end portions and electrically connected to said post and adapted for operative engagement with said distributor, a conductor wire Wrapped around said outer shell, said outer cylinder having an aperture in the lateral wall thereof, said conductor wire extending through said aperture and having a metallic terminal for operative connection to an electrical ground.

. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,756,486 Henry Apr. 29, 1930 1,861,621 Buttolph June 7, 1932 2,009,125 Smithson July 23, 1935 2,613,345 Osterland Oct. 7, 1952 

